Course

Rock Rescue Course

Overview

This 1-Day course with additional self-study resources is for climbers who have some multi-pitch climbing experience and want to improve their skills to be more self-sufficient at getting themselves and/or partners down to the ground safely and efficiently when something goes wrong.

2025 Course Date: October 18. Call or email for custom dates.

$300 Per Person

1 Days

Difficulty

Ratio:

4:1, 6:2

View Dates & Availability Trip Information

Trip Information

$300

Price based on 3-4 climbers per guide. Please contact us directly for private trips. 425-888-6397 x2 | [email protected]

Whether due to an injured climber, damaged equipment, route finding mistakes, or incoming weather, there are many possible scenarios where you need to descend quickly and/or with an incapacitated partner. This course is intended to help build your toolbox and understanding of how to systematically and safely deal with the unexpected in a multi pitch or alpine rock environment.

Duration: 1

Ratio: 4:1, 6:2

Difficulty Level:
Click here to learn more about difficulty ratings.

Rock Climbing Skills: moderate (minimum 5.7)

Fitness Level: Moderately Strenuous (multiple pitches per day)

Technical Skills Required: Moderate

Private Trips Available

Don't see a date that works for you? Pro Guiding Service offers any trip or courses on a private basis. We are flexible! Call or email to inquire.

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Itinerary

Review Prerequisite Skills & Equipment:

Knots and Hitches for Rescue (friction hitches, clove hitch, munter hitch, MMO)
Rope Ascension
Lowering from above
Simple & Quick 3:1 Haul System
Minimum gear required to perform a rescue

Simple Leader Rescue (leader less than half of rope length)

Escaping the belay and transitioning to counter-balanced rope ascension system
Cleaning gear & insuring adequate anchor for rescue descent
Attending to injured leader
Counter-balanced rappel

Rescuing a follower (belaying from above)

Escaping belay and transitioning to a lower
Load transfer systems
Rigging for a tandem rappel

Problem Solving

Passing a knot on lower and rappel
Block & Tackle to unweight the system
Dealing with a damaged rope
Getting down when you don’t have enough rope (or emergency/bailing descents)

Advanced Leader Rescue (leader more than half of the rope length several pitches off the ground)

Getting to the injured leader
Load releasable tether system
Transitioning from counter-balanced rappel to tandem rappel
Positioning the injured partner for descent

Private Trips

Pro Guiding Service proudly offers the most diverse ski touring and ski mountaineering programs of any guiding service in the Northwest. Smaller, more intimate custom itineraries or instructional tours are available for any of our destinations. Tell us what you want to do, and we can create a customized plan for you.

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Pricing

$300

per person

Price based on 3-4 climbers per guide. Please contact us directly for private trips. 425-888-6397 x2 | [email protected]

View Dates & Availability

Payment Policy

If booking a domestic trip that is over 60 days away or an international trip that is over 90 days away, you can book your trip by paying a 20% deposit. View Full Policy

Cancellation Policy

If you cancel for any reason 60 or more days before domestic trips or 90 or more days before international and Alaska trips, we will refund everything you have paid minus half of your deposit. No refunds will be provided if you cancel your trip for ANY REASON (this includes but is not limited to illness including CoVid-19, injury, or work-related issues) within 60 days of the start of domestic trips or 90 days of international and Alaska based trips. View Full Policy

Equipment List

Clothing

Base Layer

T-shirt - midweight or lightweight
Socks -  pair

Mid Layer

Windshirt or light soft shell jacket
Fleece or similar warm layer
Synthetic climbing or hiking pants
Shorts, if weather permits - longer shorts are better

Outerwear

Lightweight waterproof/breathable jacket
Warm hat - should cover your ears
Sun hat - baseball cap or visor
Lightweight gloves
Down or synthetic puffy-type jacket

Personal Gear

Pack - 25-30 liter
Hiking/approach shoes
Chalk bag/chalk
Headlamp - lightweight LED recommended
Water - plenty for a long day in the sun
Lunch and snacks for the whole day
Sunglasses
Sunscreen - SPF 25+, waterproof
Lip Balm - SPF 15+
Small personal first aid kit - just the basics: blister care, ibuprofin, prescription meds, etc.; your guide will have a substantial group first aid kit

Technical Gear

Climbing Harness
Helmet - climbing helmet UIAA approved
Rock shoes - comfortable for all day climbing
Climbing Hardware:
FOR INTRO TO ROCK/GYM TO CRAG/LEAD SPORT
2 Locking carabiners - 1 large HMS style and 1 regular locker
Personal Anchor System - nylon or spectra
Belay device

FOR LEAD TRAD/SQUAMISH TRAD/ROCK RESCUE
3 Locking Carabiners - 1 large style HMS and 2 regular lockers
4 Non-locking carabiners - any type, we prefer wire gates
Personal Anchor System - consider a Connect Adjust Lanyard
Belay device (e.g., ATC Guide, Petzl Reverso)
ABD (e.g., Petzl Gri Gri)  **not required but highly recommended**
Cordelette - 7 mm diameter, 18-24 feet
Small prussik loop and/or Petzl Tibloc
2 Sewn slings - 1 single, 1 double
Any trad gear you have - cams, nuts, hexes, etc.

Optional Items

Camera - we’d like some shots for the PGS website!
Adjustable Trekking Pole(s) - nice to have for approach
Electrolytes - tablets/powder/gel/blocks
Note Pad and Pencil - Rite-in-the-Rain brand waterproof notebooks work well
Compass - adjustable declination a must
Altimeter
Belay gloves
Neck gaiter - for protecting your face from sun, wind, cold

Equipment Sales & Rental

Gearing Up Adventurers Since 1999

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10% Off purchases and 20% Off rentals for Pro Guiding Service guests

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FAQs

Why Book With Us?

Certified Professional Guides & All Access

All of our guides have the highest quality training and certification in the industry, and you can be sure that we have the permits, licenses and insurance in every location we operate.

Safe, Well-Planned Tour Design

Every tour has a carefully thought-out guide-to-customer ratio. You always get a safe, high-quality trip or learning environment with us.

Pioneers In The Industry

You will travel and learn from experts. We've pioneered several alpine climbing routes, ski descents, and traverses and we've written books on skills and routes in the industry.

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